Browsed by
Author: Paul Luvera

Luvera practiced plaintiff law 55 years. He is past President of the Inner Circle of Advocates & Washington State Trial Lawyers Association. Member ABOTA, American College of Trial Lawyers, International Academy, International Society of Barristers and the American Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame. Book Luvera on Advocacy available at Trial Guides Publishing Email paul@luvera.org
WHAT CAN OLD TIME RADIO ADVENTURES TEACH US ABOUT PRESENTING OUR CASES?

WHAT CAN OLD TIME RADIO ADVENTURES TEACH US ABOUT PRESENTING OUR CASES?

Comments 1 comment

Have you ever asked someone “What is your case about?” and they respond: “My client was  driving his pickup truck on I-5 near Federal Way in the middle  lane going between 60 and 65 mph when traffic ahead  slowed…” and so on. That’s how we present our cases to the jury – a narrative or chronology instead of a story. A story begins with a descriptive characterization about the essence of the case. For example, a response to this question…

Read More Read More

THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRST WORDS IN COMMUNICATION

THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRST WORDS IN COMMUNICATION

Comments 0 Comment

Lawyers in general talk too much without focusing their ideas and as a result bore jurors. In trial this can be fatal to your case. Too often we underestimate the power of the words we use to start our communication to the jury whether it is in jury selection or opening statement. When you first stand up to speak to the jury, it is a magic moment in which you have everyone’s full attention for a short time; probably no…

Read More Read More

DAMAGE OPENING STATEMENT OUTLINE

DAMAGE OPENING STATEMENT OUTLINE

Comments 0 Comment

Today I’d like to share with you an actual one  page outline I used in opening statement in  a very major damage case resulting in a record  jury  verdict. The case involved a man who contacted a power line with a metal pole he was using  while installing a bill board  postor sheet. The electrical force knocked him off  the platform where was standing to the ground a long distance below. He was badly burned and had to have three…

Read More Read More